The mock Congress of The Walker School has finished up the process of passing, “pigeon- holing”, and canceling any bills that have been proposed, by members of press, lobbyists, and politicians. This article’s main objective is to condense the process and necessities of the steps a piece of proposed legislation has to take to be passed into a bill or law. The first step in the process was to split the proposed legislation into specific committees. One committee was “Ways and Means”. In this committee were Senators Chimberoff and Chastain, from New York and Minnesota, respectively. The two bills introduced into this committee were Mr. Jordan’s, and Mr. Zuckerman’s, both lobbyists. Mr. Jordan’s, which lobbied for a tax rebate for stay at home mother’s, was cancelled in committee because, “ it does not make sense to raise taxes for everyone with the money going to people who don’t work.” Also, it was stated that it seemed “confusing”. Mr. Zuckerman’s bill, which lobbied for higher necessities for community safety requirements for large sporting and public places, was passed by “Ways and Means”. The committee decided that it was well presented, and seemed like a very popular bill. This particular bill was passed because it seems to be helpful and make a good impact on America.
When the House and Senate convened, they passed Senator George’s, Chastain’s, President Smith’s, Representative O’Neil’s, Lobbyist Walker and Miss Prather’s bills. The House then cancelled Senator Chimberoff’s, Representative Dulany’s, Gaster’s, and Lobbyist Zuckerman’s. These bills proposed the banning of the sale of alcohol on Sundays, heavier penalties for persons dealing drugs, the protection of endangered species, stricter enforcement on animal abuse cases, granting illegal immigrants citizenship, and the strengthening of capital punishment, reduced drinking age, the raising of driving age, stricter enforcement on hazing, higher public safety requirements, respectively. After they made these decisions, the surviving legislation went to President Smith. She passed all bills, showing her generosity towards the propositions.
All in all, the process went rather smoothly, though the time between the Senate and House convening was rather hurried. Most bills worth passing were made into laws, though it is my personal opinion that some did not deserve to be put forth to the House and Senate. Also, only the bills that were sponsored had a chance to be considered to be passed by either the Senate or the House. I understand it that many sponsored bills were sponsored by their friends in a higher position, but that is just me. This is not necessarily fair, though it does show insight into the nastier aspects of law passing.
Thank you for reading,
C. Ferguson ~Press Member Surkan Civics 8 May 9, 2008
The mock Congress of The Walker School has finished up the process of passing, “pigeon- holing”, and canceling any bills that have been proposed, by members of press, lobbyists, and politicians. This article’s main objective is to condense the process and necessities of the steps a piece of proposed legislation has to take to be passed into a bill or law. The first step in the process was to split the proposed legislation into specific committees. One committee was “Ways and Means”. In this committee were Senators Chimberoff and Chastain, from New York and Minnesota, respectively. The two bills introduced into this committee were Mr. Jordan’s, and Mr. Zuckerman’s, both lobbyists. Mr. Jordan’s, which lobbied for a tax rebate for stay at home mother’s, was cancelled in committee because, “ it does not make sense to raise taxes for everyone with the money going to people who don’t work.” Also, it was stated that it seemed “confusing”. Mr. Zuckerman’s bill, which lobbied for higher necessities for community safety requirements for large sporting and public places, was passed by “Ways and Means”. The committee decided that it was well presented, and seemed like a very popular bill. This particular bill was passed because it seems to be helpful and make a good impact on America.
When the House and Senate convened, they passed Senator George’s, Chastain’s, President Smith’s, Representative O’Neil’s, Lobbyist Walker and Miss Prather’s bills. The House then cancelled Senator Chimberoff’s, Representative Dulany’s, Gaster’s, and Lobbyist Zuckerman’s. These bills proposed the banning of the sale of alcohol on Sundays, heavier penalties for persons dealing drugs, the protection of endangered species, stricter enforcement on animal abuse cases, granting illegal immigrants citizenship, and the strengthening of capital punishment, reduced drinking age, the raising of driving age, stricter enforcement on hazing, higher public safety requirements, respectively. After they made these decisions, the surviving legislation went to President Smith. She passed all bills, showing her generosity towards the propositions.
All in all, the process went rather smoothly, though the time between the Senate and House convening was rather hurried. Most bills worth passing were made into laws, though it is my personal opinion that some did not deserve to be put forth to the House and Senate. Also, only the bills that were sponsored had a chance to be considered to be passed by either the Senate or the House. I understand it that many sponsored bills were sponsored by their friends in a higher position, but that is just me. This is not necessarily fair, though it does show insight into the nastier aspects of law passing.
Thank you for reading,
C. Ferguson
~Press Member
Surkan Civics 8
May 9, 2008